LDS Church Leaders Share Insights into New Temple Opportunities for Youth

Recently, the Church announced that all priests holding the Aaronic priesthood and a limited-use temple recommend may officiate in baptisms for the dead and young women with a limited-use temple recommend may also assist with baptistry assignments previously reserved for sister temple ordinance workers. Here are a few new insights into these changes from Church leaders.

According to Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and chairman of the Temple and Family History Executive Committee, these changes will be a great blessing to the young women, young men, and children of the Church. “With magnificent advances in technology, the rising generation has responded spiritually to the opportunities and challenges it presents,” he said. “These changes will allow increased preparation and participation in the great work of salvation for the dead.”

Additional temple opportunities for youth

Depending on the needs at a particular temple, temple presidencies will have the option of asking young women ages 12–18 and ordained priests with limited-use temple recommends to serve in the temple in additional ways.

“Our youth have accepted the invitation to engage in doing family history and temple work in amazing ways,” said Sister Bonnie L. Oscarson, Young Women General President. “These additional opportunities to serve in the temple will add meaning to their experiences as they perform baptisms for their ancestors. I am truly excited that they will be able to engage in this work in more ways.”

One of those ways is young women taking a greater role in helping temple baptistries function. Young women might, for example, be asked to record baptism and confirmation ordinances, greet and welcome patrons to the baptistry, issue baptismal clothing and assign lockers.